Alternative Guitar Cab Miking Techniques

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Seafroggys

Seafroggys

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So over the next couple of weeks I'm bringing in a guitarist to lay down some guitar tracks for my album. I typically record with an e609 about 2-3" away off center, and a Fathead II ribbon about 4-5 feet back.

I want to try something different this time. The issue is that I don't play guitar myself, so I never get a chance to experiment with different techniques like I can for, say, drums. So I don't want to use up an hour of this guy's time just to try out all the different combos of mics and positions, and then another hour listening to them to figure out which one is the best. So I want to talk to you guys and see if I can narrow my selections down to 4-5 and just try those out.

So first off, the mics I would be interested in using that is in my locker would be SM57, i5, e609, Fathead II, and AT4047. I could use my NT2a's as well but I have them permanently set up as drum overheads so it would be difficult for me to move them.

My first intuition would be to change out the e609 for another mic, and maybe change the distance of the fathead. I know most people hate the e609, I just got in the habit of always using it. What would be a good distance for the Fathead? Is 4 feet too far? I don't want it to be too close where its just another close mic. And what would be a good complemtary dynamic mic for the Fathead?

Another technique I read about the other day was a ribbon a foot away, and then a condensor 3-4 feet away. I have never thought of the ribbon/condenser combo before. Has anyone tried that? Would the 4047 compliment the Fathead II well? Would it be worth also putting one of the dynamics up close?

Setup is probably going to be a Twin Reverb with a tubebooster and possibly some Line 6 effects to get a more "modern" distortion for some of the songs. Probably a tele or Les Paul.

Remember, I know that its best that I try out all combinations, but this is reality here. I'm using this guys' time, and I want to be able to try a few things, not 100s of things, and work with that. So some ideas will be helpful.
 
Use em all at once, or as many as you can. Put one straight on for the brightest most direct sound, put one off-axis, put one at the edge, put one at a distance, and put one for room. At the mixing stage you can pick and choose which tracks to use in whatever combination you choose, or just just one track by itself. The problem is phase issues when combining tracks. You'll have to work that out when you get to it.
 
'609 vs 57 close.. that's in the either or dept. But I'd seriously consider the ribbon at five or six inches -especially on clean amps comes to mind. Lots of low/body in there due to the '8's proximity effect, doesn't have the hype presences peak like those other typicals - but, it won't necessarily need it, nor be missed in many cases. Bringing other things to the table.
4047 has some 'attitude, could be real interesting..

Also, with the fig8, at fairly close distances like that or with a gobo behind, the back lobe doesn't add a lot into the track (plus your bonus excellent side/up/down rejection..) But backed off a bit (or amp/mic placed) it can add bit of ambient/depth..
 
IMO....4-5 feet back is kinda far for the Fathead, unless you got the amp crankin' or using a preamp with lots of good clean gain. I usually put the Fathead about 18" out...though have alsoi used it anything from 2' out to 2" from the grill...and I generally do crank the amp.
Between the 57 or 609 and the Fathead....it's not even a choice for me....the Fathead always wins.

Now...the AT4047 might be fun to try on guitar cabs. That's a FET mic that handles very high SPL, so you can stick it right up against the grill and crank it up. It's not an overly bright mic, but being a condenser, it will pick up "hash" much easier, so if you are going for crunch tones, really dial 'em back and watch the Treble on the amp/

With the Fathead....you mainly end up rolling off the very low end (sub 125 Hz)....otherwise the guitar tracks just seem to sit well.

Of course....it all depends on the style of music, the tones you are going for and the guitars/amps you use.
 
I have used a fathead ribbon right on the speaker but have use a pop screen in front in case it gets a blast of air. I also use a 57 and fathead a lot or a 421 (The 609 will sound similar) and fathead, plus sometimes a omni. Check out the photo, a 421 a fathead ribbon and a sdc condenser with omni head (in some songs we swapped the 421 for a 57), the reason for the close micing was that we were tracking live, drums bass with amp and guitar. The guitar sound on this CD is great.

Alan

empire-blog2.webp
 
How are those Ulbrick amps?

What type/style of amp is it?
 
miroslav said:
How are those Ulbrick amps?

What type/style of amp is it?
Click to expand...

This was actually during the tracking of my own bands album, I play bass. Yes, the amp is an Ulbrick, the guitarist owns a Guitar store and is also friends with Dave Ulbrick, from the days when he lived in Victoria before coming to the west.

This amp started out as a 30 watt 1x 12" combo (not sure of the exact model), he then added a second 1 x 12" cab. However we are all not getting any younger and the combo was heavy to lift for it's size, so he got Dave Ulbrick to make up a surround for the 30 watt head and separated the amp and the combo, the combo box is now the second speaker cab. So it's a hybrid. Don't let anyone tell you that 30 watts is not loud enough for gigs, this amp is loud and has a great tone.

Alan.

Just to add, one of the guys that works at my studio from time to time has bought a Ulbrick 1x12" combo and ditched using his Marshall and quad box.
 
i like the 609 and an off-axis i5. love the combination of the two. easy but effective. very full sounding but not necessarily an ambient feel. throw the fathead and/or 4047 in there for the fuck of it. you can always get rid of the track. have fun!
 
plus, think about it..

even if the OP doesn't care enough to check out the PZM...

a lot of other folks have, or probably will, read this thread, and it may help them...
so
it's all good.
 
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